Sewage Conduit Flow Meter With External Ultrasonic Water-Level Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-full conduit sewage flow meters are not applicable to small sewage conduits due to space constraints, making it difficult to embed water level measurement sensors accurately.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter design with embedded ultrasonic transducers in fluid induction portions and an externally mounted water level measurement sensor unit, utilizing ultrasonic waves to measure water level through an opening portion with a predetermined angle, allowing accurate water level measurement in small conduits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional non-full conduit sewage flow meter is used, then accurate flow measurement is achieved in large conduits, but it cannot be applied to small sewage conduits due to space constraints for embedding sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the water level measurement function from an internal embedded sensor configuration to an external mounting configuration. The opening portion extends upward from the conduit, allowing the water level sensor to be mounted externally on the conduit surface rather than requiring internal embedding space, thus enabling application to small conduits while maintaining measurement functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The opening portion acts as an intermediary structure that connects the internal flow measurement environment with the external sensor mounting location. It provides a pathway for ultrasonic waves to reach the water surface while allowing the sensor to be positioned externally, bridging the gap between internal measurement requirements and external sensor placement
2Measurement precision
If the opening portion is made steep to reduce signal interference, then measurement accuracy improves, but water level detection becomes difficult at low angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the opening portion's angle parameter to balance two competing requirements: a steeper angle (45-90 degrees) reduces signal interference from the conduit walls for improved measurement precision, while maintaining sufficient vertical extension to ensure detectability at low water levels. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between precision and detectability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate water level measurement in small sewage conduits by overcoming space constraints and minimizing signal interference, ensuring precise water level detection.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of ultrasonic transducers that are embedded in protruding sides end of the fluid induction portions, designed in a V method so that ultrasonic waves emitted from one ultrasonic transducer are reflected by the fluid induction portions facing each other and reach the other ultrasonic transducer
Implementation Method 2
emits ultrasonic waves toward the opening portion of the second body portion, receives the ultrasonic waves reflected from the water surface, and measures the water level
Implementation Method 3
emits ultrasonic waves toward the opening portion of the second body portion, receives the ultrasonic waves reflected from the water surface
Implementation Method 4
measures the water level based on the time for ultrasonic waves to travel to the water surface and reflect back
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter for a sewage conduit according to the present invention includes a first body portion comprising a plurality of sets of fluid induction portions that protrude along an inner circumferential surface in parallel in a flow direction, and a pair of ultrasonic transducers that are embedded in protruding sides end of the fluid induction portions; a second body portion, which is a portion exposed to the outside of the sewage conduit comprising an opening portion that is cut and formed to have a predetermined angle from an upper end and formed by extending the fluid induction portions formed in the first body portion; and a water level measurement sensor unit which is fixed in the manhole on the outside of the sewage conduit, emits ultrasonic waves toward the opening portion of the second body portion, and measures the water level.